I have my periodic test coming up in January, just curious as its the first one I have had on a car since living here for the past 13 years. I doubt its similar to a UK MOT, so any info gratefully received.
Well, I can’t tell you exactly what the MFK includes because I opt for the easy way out: I gladly pay the mechanic at my local garage to take the car in for me.
Leaving it in the hands of a local profi, the old car always passes without a quibble. A small indulgence, but given that I know little about cars and probably couldn’t argue a technical point, one that is well worth it to me.
(I’m in SZ now, but I did the same when we lived in ZH.)
It is similar but, at least in Luzern, you get involved as well, sitting in the car to wiggle the wheel to check for loose linkages and operating lights and indicators when requested.
All very friendly but I guess your experience may depend on the mood of the tester.
It took about fifteen minutes. Be there on time.
It’s relatively similar to an MOT - but feels a bit more thorough. Sometimes I’ve been involved (to check the steering by moving it) - other times they do everything themselves.
e.g. in my case, they failed the car as the engine bay was dirty (it’s a car used offroad). They expect the engine bay to be steam cleaned, so there are no drips or mud that can cover issues. They REALLY don’t like when you spill a bit of oil during an oil change the day before, and don’t clean the engine of ANY traces of oil.
I tend to bring it, see what they complain about and then change those parts before the retest.
Arguing is useless. Once I failed as I had a stone chip - well outside the prescribed area (and smaller than the limit). I was told “that’s great, but we are more strict in Aargau - so you need a new windscreen for ANY stone chip, anywhere”. Insurance company was happy to pay for a new windscreen, so whatever.
The car should be presentable too - interior tidy and clean (yes, they check this), etc…
If you’re not mechanically minded, it can be worth getting it professionally cleaned. I see zero value in a pre-check from a mechanic, as the check (that you pay for) tells you what needs fixing (if anything).
One thing that is often missed are the brake/clutch pedal rubbers…they should not be warn through to the metal. Cheap and easy to replace yourself.
You shouldn’t have a problem with that though. Don’t you all drive in bare feet?
Me too
Five years ago I weakened and took my car to a garage to do the prep, they found a long list and quoted 3.500 CHF.
I said forget it and took the car to the test, they found only one issue that another garage fixed for 800 CHF.
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Protip: MFK can now be done in TCS garages directly. Absolutely worth the (small) premium, huge difference in customer service and friendliness in TCS Schlieren compared to STVA AlbisgĂĽetli.
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I tried that in Aargau - and had the exact opposite impression. The official place is really helpful (even explained a few things in English). TCS basically told me “it’s not our job to explain why it failed” - look at the report (which I was questioning, as I was trying to figure out if they said the shocks were leaking, or they had found grease on the shocks and assumed they were leaking)
Most important this is that it is clean inside and out. That includes a motor wash! TIS. TIS. Prechecks are not really necessary. Unless you see puddles of gooey stuff in your parking space. But your landlord should of informed you of that by now.
Additional note: the engine compartment can be washed at some car washes but not all of them. Read signs at the car wash first.
Little late for updating, the car had its health check and passed with full colours. Cleaned it thoroughly inside and out, wiped down the engine compartment, checked all tyres and fluids, it had one small chip in the windscreen a couple of inches from the pillar, but not even flagged. So, no need for a garage to be involved, no pre checks and a good clean, job done until another 3 years possibly.